key tax return and refund dates
When can you file your taxes?
You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a “queue” and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.
Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.
When does the IRS accept tax returns?
The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.
The IRS will begin accepting tax returns on January 26, 2026.
When is the IRS test batch?
If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.
When will I get my tax refund?
Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.
Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?
The IRS no longer publishes an official tax refund cycle chart. It has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Since then, dozens of versions have popped up, some better than others.
That’s where we step in.
Get the dates, skip the guessing.
Each year, we compile the most accurate Refund Cycle Chart, built from IRS manuals, payout trends, PATH Act release dates, holidays, and real user updates, so you don’t have to guess when your refund will hit.
Check the IGMR Refund Cycle Chart and see when your money’s coming.
tax refund grapevine
This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.
tax refund tools
IRS Update Cycle
Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.
When are Updates?
The IRS has regular mass update cycles.
WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?
Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.
WHEN DO transcripts update?
Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.
@Suzy27: I have, over and over and I can’t find anything there. Just account transcript with all zeros and an as of date of 2-23-2026. I did initially have the we have received your tax refund and it is being processed message, but it changed to refund status unavailable last Saturday.
Filed 1/26 accepted 1/28 should be on path but my transcripts has only 3 of my w2’s are showing and 2 are missing…. Also no return for 2025 shows and the account is only filled with zeros at the top and as of date 2/17. My WMR update to this this morning…. We received your tax return and are reviewing it. If we need additional information, we’ll mail a notice with further instructions. If you’ve already received a notice, please follow the instructions. If we determine no additional information is needed, we’ll continue to process your refund
Anyone else had this happen can you share your thoughts and experience. Am I being audited?
@Sheila_33: Heyyy how are you?I know your path will end tonight. Good luck 🥰Let’s see will i update this coming week with the verify.Ill be on my cruise 🛳 starting tomorrow.I will have internet so ill keep you updated if anything happens.Again good luck to everyone that’s waiting on that Curvy Path
@Gator352: Yes you were going crazy that year lol.But it all worked out.How did you like our little cold weather in florida a few weeks ago…Hope you’re having a great weekend
Good afternoon Happy Valentines Day
WMR states DDD of Feb. 19th 2026. As Of 2/23/2026. Monday is a Holiday. Hopefully will get it deposited earlier into my Credit Union. Another Tax Year (2025) bites the dust.
Have a wonderful rest of your day!!
@Shdavis46: that’s strange. If you have an irs account I’d look there.
@CYRUS: every year I have my fees taken from my refund and it simply doesn’t deposit until the actual ddd rather than a day or two early.
@Yandy00: exactly have a great day funny how time slips away
@Suzy27: Mine says refund status unavailable and that started last Saturday.
@billythekid19: fed only as state is tracked separately
@Shdavis46: what is your WMR saying
@Shdavis46: it’s just says “processing” with 1 bar.
@Suzy27: If you don’t mind me asking, what is your WMR saying?
@Shdavis46: I’ve had it for a few years also. Last year I had to upload my 1095A form. This year I thought I was good when my wage transcript loaded a week after being accepted. But nothing since then.
Checked my state taxes this morning and it said intercepted, I know I am about 300 dollars behind on child support so does that mean they took my state refund to pay that? Also will they send the remaining money to my account I listed on my tax return? Michigan btw and the status just changed overnight.
@Suzy27: maybe thats my hold up, I have Marketplace as well! Is there something different going on with Marketplace this year? I have had it for a few years and always got my refund on time.
@Berrybondo: ok vool
@Shdavis46: I have MarketPlace Health. I’m guessing that’s my holdup.
@Dadof1: It won’t update until after the path freeze lifts and you process.
@Shay2: Mine has said refund status unavailable for 2 weeks now on WMR. It initially said received. In 2024, I had to ID verify, but it was showing on my tax acct, but there is nothing there, I am lost!
@Shdavis46: Same for mine. I was accepted Jan 30 nothing has happened with my transcripts and is still being processed.
@Shepherd: If you see 846 it’s already been released. Who is your bank?
@Tigerlili_1: thx
@billythekid19: Fed inly
quick question. When entering dollar amount into IRS.gov refund tracker, do you enter federal amount only or fed & state combined?
Thanks in advance for any help.
If I have the eitc, would that be why my wmr bar has not moved to approved ….?
@Suzy27: Me either, it’s like my return doesn’t exsist and I was accepted 01/28/26. 🤔
@CYRUS: It normally doesn’t delay.
@Shepherd: As soon as that 846 posts on the transcript, the treasury releases. So, if you have a no holds bank, you’ll see something sooner.
Good morning everyone,I updated to the path message
Filed February 1 or 2nd
Accepted same day
All transcripts updated fridays
Excuse my message I’ve had shortness breath a lot lately
Sadly no updates for me. Still just wages transcripts.
@Gators352: Yes we started together. Myself also with Sheila. She’s a great person.
Wanted to follow up to a question from earlier- and forgive me if this posted somewhere else in the references or resources but does having processing / filing fees paid through your return refund slow down or affect the deposit date? Can it cause a delay?
Also— my parents filed 5 days ago… and got their refund this morning. No PATH or EITC… filed locally with HR Block w no advances. Was in their bank this morning.
The IRS is on it this year… I was afraid that we could see longer waits due to politics and staff reductions but that’s definitely not the case. I am on 2nd bar with WMR with a DDD of 2/19 and I filed / accepted on 2/4.
Fastest returns we’ve experienced— ever.
If DDD is 2/23 di they send the DD that day or before? I’m wondering because my bank doesn’t hold deposits hoping to get it earlier
@Alliecatt: Honestly depends on what they’re looking at. If its easily reconciled from internal data like w2s or dependents, it won’t take too long. Any thing different that you filed this year?
Hi yall.
Weekly. No transcript or WMR updates. Still says no return filed. But I got a letter that I’m under review. Why didn’t transcripts update? First time ever so what is this process like and how long does it take? If I remember correctly now, I think my 2020 got reviewed and I didn’t get it til 2024 🤦♀️
@Sheila_33: no problem